Many Activities are Scheduled Saturday and Sunday in the Kankakee Valley!

Even though Christmas Eve is a few days off, many children in our area will get some gifts early. The Starke County Abate organization will be handing out toys, clothing and food items to 90 families at the Bass Lake Golf Course on Saturday. “It will be at the Bass Lake Golf Course,” said Abate President, Terry Young. “We have 90 families that will be coming out this year. They were all sent out invitations to come. There are 240 kids and all the families will have a turkey and all kinds of gifts. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will also be there.” When it comes to a big heart for children, the 290 members of Abate are in the forefront.

CLASP and the Pulaski County Human Services, Inc. is having their annual Toystore, clothing and food box distribution for residents of Pulaski County on Saturday, December 11th, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon ET. 730 people received food, toys and clothes last year as a result of those people who donated goods to this event.

The Good Samaritan Store in Winamac has artificial Christmas trees, decorations, lights and other Christmas items for those less fortunate this holiday season. For more information, call (574) 225-0544.

There will be an all-you-can-eat chicken and noodle dinner on Saturday, December 11th, 2010 at the Culver Community High School Cafeteria from 4:00-8:00 p.m. ET. Carry outs will be available. Shari Kirkland, a former staff member at CCHS, has been battling terminal cancer for two years. This dinner will help defray some of Shari and her husband’s expenses. There will be other fundraisers throughout the evening. For more information, call Carin Clifton at (574) 842-3391 or (574) 952-1966.

The Oregon-Davis Junior Class is sponsoring a silent auction and bake sale on December 11th during the boys basketball game against Caston. The proceeds will be given to Christina Rotering to support her battle against Lymphoma Cancer. To show your support, the Oregon-Davis school is requesting that students, faculty, and fans wear green to the game, December 11th. The color green represents the fight against Lymphoma cancer.

The Town of Hamlet will have its Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 11th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hamlet Town Hall. Christmas carols will be sung after the ceremony and then everyone is invited to the firehouse for cookies and hot chocolate. Santa Claus will be at the firehouse to greet children.

Branson and Mary Lou Hiatt stand by their fretwork display at the library

Dremel Scroll Saw Fretwork by Branson Hiatt is now being displayed at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library through the month of December. A wolf that is displayed in the glass cabinet took 200 holes to fashion. Books on scroll saw designers and design are also available for more information on this unique art.

The 21st Annual Open House at the Starke County Humane Society is Sunday, December 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT.

The Golden Living Center in Knox is hosting a Christmas caroling event with the Community Baptist Church on Sunday, December 12th at 2:00 p.m.

The Community Choir will present its 13th Annual Christmas Cantata, “Unspeakable Joy!”, Sunday, at the Knox United Methodist Church. The first program is at 2:00 p.m. CT and the second program is at 6:00 p.m. CT.